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Tom Nieto, a World Series champion catcher who also served as a longtime MLB coach, has died, the Minnesota Twins announced Monday. He was 65.
The Twins released a statement about Nieto’s death on social media.
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Catcher Tom Nieto of St. Louis Cardinals watches from the sidelines during a Major League Baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1984. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
“The Twins organization mourns the loss of 1987 World Champion Tom Nieto,” the team said. “Our thoughts are with the Nieto family in their time of grief.”
Nieto’s sister, Denise Nieto-Jackson, posted on Facebook that the former player died of a heart attack last month.
“On Friday, March 27, my brother Tom died of a heart attack, leaving behind cherished memories in Florida with his family; his strength and resilience will continue to inspire us all,” she said.
The Twins originally drafted Nieto in the 31st round of the 1979 MLB Draft. However, he decided to stay in school and eventually transferred to Oral Roberts. St. Louis Cardinals would select him in the third round of the 1981 MLB Draft.
Jim Sundberg of the Kansas City Royals scores as Tom Nieto of the St. Louis Cardinals try to tag him during Game 5 of the 1985 World Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo., on October 24, 1985. (Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images)
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He made his MLB debut in 1984 and played for the Cardinals for two seasons. He was with the Montreal Expos in 1986 before joining the Twins in 1987. He was on the Twins’ 1987 team when they won the World Series against the Cardinals.
Nieto played two seasons with the Twins before ending his career with the Philadelphia Phillies after the 1990 season.
He played 251 games in his big league career. He hit .205 with five home runs and 69 RBI.
Yankees manager Tom Nieto poses during New York Yankees Media Day at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., on February 20, 2002. (M. David Leeds/Getty Images)
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When he retired, Nieto went into coaching. He was with the New York Yankees from 1995 to 2002 and the New York Mets from 2005-2008.
